As the typhoon skirted the territory about 240km to the southwest, the observatory downgraded the warning in the afternoon to “Number 3,” indicating strong winds.

Damage was limited with no landslides reported, but the winds blew down a number of trees and signboards, and left bamboo scaffolding swaying.

The Airport Authority said about one-third of daily flights were disrupted, with 110 cancelled and another 241 delayed. Ferry services to outlying islands and China were halted in the morning, stranding passengers at various terminals.

A government spokesman said six people were treated in public hospitals for storm-related injuries and there were six cases of minor flooding.

Overnight the government opened 17 temporary shelters, with dozens of people seeking refuge.

The territory’s streets were noticeably quiet in the morning, with many workers staying home as businesses and schools were shuttered, but as the storm passed more people could be seen venturing out, umbrellas hoisted, as the territory returned to normal.

However, the Hong Kong stock exchange had already canceled yesterday’s afternoon session and schools remained shut for the afternoon.

Utor, which is packing winds of 155kph near its center, was heading toward the coast of Guangdong Province at 16kph. It was predicted to make landfall last night or this morning, Xinhua news agency said.

The storm earlier swept across the Philippines, flattening houses and causing flash floods and landslides. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said the death toll had risen to six, with five people still missing as rescuers rushed to reach areas isolated by the storm.

Two people were confirmed dead in the central island of Cebu after they were washed away by a flash flood, while two fishermen drowned in the eastern town of Casiguran, the hardest hit by the storm, the council said.

In the northern Philippines one man was crushed by a landslide while another man drowned, the council said in a statement.

Five people, mostly fishermen, were listed as missing.

Almost 42,000 people were still homeless in the Philippines after Utor toppled light structures, ripped the roofs off homes and buildings, and inundated farms, the council said.